5 causes I am not excited concerning the iPhone 17 (regardless that I want I used to be)

Apple arguably makes a few of the finest and most dependable smartphones in the marketplace. With

Samsung’s Galaxy S25
sequence now behind us, focus is starting to maneuver to the Cupertino large. As typical, Apple is predicted to unveil a brand new era of its flagship iPhone lineup later this 12 months.

This 12 months’s iPhone 17 sequence is rumored to

bring significant changes
to a product line that, frankly, has began to really feel a bit repetitive over the previous few years. And like clockwork, leaks concerning the upcoming iPhones are already circulating, giving us a glimpse at what could be in retailer when Tim Prepare dinner takes the stage this fall.

However regardless of all of the rumored modifications, I am discovering myself much less excited than typical concerning the iPhone 17 lineup.

5

The rumored design modifications really feel underwhelming

It isn’t the improve I hoped for this 12 months

It has been greater than 4 years since Apple made any main design modifications to the iPhone. Certain, the iPhone 12 launched straight edges, the iPhone 15 Professional introduced a titanium construct, and the iPhone 16 added a vertical digicam setup together with a new Camera Control — however nothing has felt actually groundbreaking in a very long time.

And as soon as once more, rumors counsel that Apple is not planning a serious design overhaul this 12 months both. In accordance with various leaks, the baseline iPhone 17 will retain the identical vertical digicam structure seen on the present iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. The iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max, then again, are rumored to function a brand new rectangular digicam module that is bigger than the present sq. setup on the Professional fashions.

Apple can be anticipated to change up the construct supplies this 12 months, reportedly moving away from titanium and going with a half-glass, half-aluminum design. In fact, nothing is last, and issues may nonetheless change earlier than launch. But when the iPhone 17 Professional appears something just like the leaked renders, it is shaping as much as be one other underwhelming design refresh that seems like change for the sake of change.

Associated

Apple’s iPhone 17 is taking shape, and it looks a lot like a Google Pixel

We’re nonetheless a number of months away from the formal unveiling of Apple’s iPhone 17 sequence, however the rumor mill is already churning – this is what we all know.

4

A thinner iPhone is not what we’d like

It would even make issues worse

Apple is reportedly dropping the “Plus” mannequin this 12 months in favor of a brand new iPhone 17 Air. This mannequin is predicted to be the thinnest iPhone ever, focusing on customers who need an ultra-portable, light-weight gadget. Leaks have already given us a glimpse of simply how slim the iPhone 17 Air could be — and to be truthful, it does look fairly spectacular. However I do not actually suppose a slimmer iPhone is what we’d like proper now.

In truth, I might argue that thickness is the least of the iPhone’s issues lately. And if this skinny profile comes at the price of battery life, then we actually must rethink whether or not this mannequin is smart. Slim telephones usually include different compromises too, like decreased sturdiness and downgraded {hardware} in comparison with different fashions in the identical lineup.

Sure, I do know the “slim smartphone” development is selecting up this 12 months, with even Samsung rumored to be saying the Galaxy S25 Edge quickly, however I nonetheless have my doubts. I am going to admit, once I tried out Tecno’s ultra-slim phone at MWC 2025, it did blow my thoughts with how skinny it was. But when that thinness comes on the expense of actual usability, then I do not suppose the iPhone 17 Air is for me.

Associated

My 4 doubts about the iPhone 17 Air

It could be sensible, nevertheless it may additionally be an costly compromise.

3

Apple’s huge AI pitch nonetheless hasn’t proven up

I am not shopping for into the hype once more

AI options are an enormous deal in smartphones in 2025. Google has been advertising its Pixel telephones virtually totally round useful AI instruments, and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 sequence additionally leans heavily on AI-powered features. Apple, then again, nonetheless hasn’t delivered a lot on this space.

When Apple introduced the iPhone 16 sequence final 12 months, it promised an extended record of Apple Intelligence options, together with a extra conversational model of Siri and deeper app integration. However months later, most of these features still haven’t arrived — and it does not seem like they’re coming anytime quickly both.

So if Apple plans to hype up the iPhone 17 with much more AI options, I am undecided if I am going to purchase into it as soon as once more. I first must see the options the corporate already promised final 12 months to truly present up earlier than getting enthusiastic about any new ones.

Associated

Apple is losing the AI race and might never recover

Apple may need already fallen too far behind to make up the hole.

2

Battery and digicam updates sound minor once more

Nothing that seems like a serious leap

One of many areas the place iPhones have constantly lagged behind Android telephones is battery life. Whereas the iPhone 16 Professional delivered respectable efficiency on this space, it nonetheless does not examine to Android rivals just like the Galaxy S25 Extremely and OnePlus 13, each of which additionally help a lot sooner charging speeds.

Apple is rumored to extend the charging pace to 35W with the iPhone 17 fashions, however that is nonetheless slower than what many Android units already supply.

As for the digicam upgrades, it does not seem like Apple is planning something main this 12 months. Leaks counsel the primary and ultra-wide cameras will stay at 48-megapixels, whereas the 12-megapixel 5x telephoto lens could be upgraded to 48-megapixels.

Whereas that is a welcome enchancment, it nonetheless seems like Apple is falling behind within the digicam {hardware} race, particularly in comparison with “Extremely” Android telephones like Xiaomi 15 Extremely and Vivo X200 Extremely, which provide a extra superior digicam setup.

Associated

Is Apple is falling behind on battery life? It certainly feels that way

With regards to longevity, Apple barely appears enthusiastic about competing.

1

My iPhone 16 Professional remains to be going robust

There is not any actual motive to think about an improve but

I was a type of individuals who upgraded their iPhone yearly. That began to alter a few years in the past once I skipped the leap from the iPhone 14 Professional Max to the iPhone 15 Pro in 2023. In 2024, I gave in and switched to the iPhone 16 Professional, enthusiastic about all the brand new AI options — however ultimately, it did not really feel like a lot of an improve.

iPhones have matured to some extent the place the joy of upgrading has began to fade. Decide up any two iPhones from the previous few years and, until you examine them aspect by aspect, there’s actually not a lot of a distinction anymore.

The rumored iPhone 17 modifications have not impressed me up to now, and with my iPhone 16 Professional nonetheless performing effectively, I do not see myself upgrading this 12 months.

• 

  iPhone 16
  

  This 12 months’s iPhone 16 line blurs the road between the “Professional” and the base-level iPhone by providing a brand new digicam button and the Motion Button, alongside the A18 chip.

• 

  iPhone 16 Professional
  

  Apple’s iPhone 16 Professional line options a number of notable upgrades over final 12 months’s iPhone 15 Professional, together with a devoted digicam button, a brand new A18 Professional chip, a much bigger display, and a number of other AI-powered Apple Intelligence options.

Nothing concerning the iPhone 17 feels thrilling but

There are nonetheless months to go, and quite a bit may change within the meantime, however based mostly on what we all know up to now, it seems like Apple is enjoying it protected once more with the iPhone 17 lineup. I am going to maintain off on the ultimate judgment till it is official, however for now, I am preserving my expectations low.